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Ann Powers

On ‘The Life of a Showgirl,’ Taylor Swift feels love’s glow and the spotlight’s glare

By Ann Powers

October 3, 2025

Taylor Swift sounds like she's having fun all over her twelfth album, The Life of a Showgirl, even as her lyrics paint a picture of a star chasing the spotlight and trapped by it.

On her 12th album, the most dominant pop star of our era makes a spectacle of herself in full flower, in love and holding the music industry in the palm of her hand.

Filed Under: Arts, Culture & Music, WPLN News Tagged With: Taylor Swift

Morgan Wallen is the elephant in the room

By Ann Powers

June 7, 2025

In 2021, Wallen was caught on video uttering a racial slur. Since then, he’s become the most commercially successful musician in country and popular music. How? By remaining committed to ambivalence.

Filed Under: Arts, Culture & Music, WPLN News Tagged With: country music, Morgan Wallen

What’s the best way for a music fan to support their favorite artists?

By Ann Powers

June 2, 2025

In 2025, fandom is complicated. Music is at nearly everyone’s fingertips. Concert ticket prices are through the roof. Some fans take devotion to new extremes. What do we owe to the artists we love?

Filed Under: Arts, Culture & Music, WPLN News Tagged With: concerts, music industry, OnlyFans, Paul Simon, Ryman, TikTok

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